Maison Law represents motorcycle accident victims across Turlock. Getting in a left-turn motorcycle accident is upsetting, but teaming up with our Turlock motorcycle accident lawyers can help. We know how to deal with these accidents, making sure those responsible are held accountable. We’ll work to get you the help and benefits you need to recover from your injuries. If you’ve been in one of these accidents, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Hire Our Lawyers?
This depends on your needs. The details of your accident matter a lot when it comes to making a claim. But no matter what happens, you have the right to file an injury claim if you’re hurt in a left turn or any other type of motorcycle accident.
Handling a claim on your own, especially if you’re badly hurt, is tough. Besides focusing on getting better physically, you’d also have to deal with all the paperwork and conversations with insurance companies. That’s where we come in to help.
Here’s how we handle left turn motorcycle accidents for our clients:
- We figure out who’s responsible for the accident.
- We gather and look at all the important evidence.
- We talk to witnesses and experts to learn more.
- We file all the paperwork and communicate with the insurance company for you.
- We officially represent you and work to get you compensation through negotiation or going to court if needed.
Motorcycle accidents often mean extensive medical care, maybe even surgery, and physical therapy. Dealing with all of that while also dealing with insurance can be challenging. That’s where we come in, so you can focus on getting better while we handle the rest. While this can be a benefit, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.
How Can You Protect Your Rights?
One of the most difficult things about being in a left turn (or any other type) of motorcycle accident is that it’s very hard to think clearly, especially right after it happens. Add to that any injuries and other trauma you’re facing, and it’s easy to freeze up. But your actions–or inactions–can have a huge impact on your potential claim. Here’s how you can protect your rights:
- Prioritize your health – Make your well-being a priority by checking for injuries and seeking medical care right away. You can do this at the scene with an ambulance and EMS or visiting an emergency room/urgent care facility if you’re able. After that, you should also get follow up care with a doctor.
- Swap information – Whenever possible, exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver involved. If they leave the scene, take swift action by informing the authorities and reporting the incident.
- Report the accident – Officially report the accident by contacting either the Turlock Police Department (TPD) or the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. Although a police report cannot be used as evidence in a lawsuit due to it being hearsay, it still has vital information that you’ll need for your claim.
- Collect evidence – If possible, document the accident scene by capturing photographs and videos. Also, don’t fix or replace any damaged property or damage to your bike. This evidence can be invaluable in supporting your claim in the future.
These steps will go a long way to helping you recover. Although it won’t heal injuries, it will be a proactive way to move toward a legal claim. Before that happens though, you’ll need to understand left-turn accidents and who is responsible.
What a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident Means
Legally speaking, a left turn motorcycle accident isn’t any different from other motorcycle accidents. However, practically speaking, there’s a few ways that these accidents are unique. Most notably, this involves the causes:
- Not yielding – Drivers may neglect to yield to oncoming traffic, either misjudging the speed or distance of your motorcycle or becoming distracted during the turn.
- Miscalculating distance – Drivers might miscalculate the distance between their vehicle and your approaching motorcycle, resulting in collisions with minimal time for your reaction.
- Distractions– Distractions such as mobile phones or passengers can divert a driver’s attention from the road and other vehicles, including motorcycles.
- Driving impaired – Impaired drivers may exhibit slower reaction times or impaired judgment, elevating the risk of such accidents.
- Driving too fast – Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time to oncoming traffic, escalating the chances of collisions when making left turns.
Left-turn accidents often inflict severe injuries on riders due to their vulnerability compared to larger, heavier vehicles moving at higher speeds. Common injuries you could facing include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries, Fractures
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma
Liability
Not surprisingly, the person at-fault in a typical left-turn motorcycle accident is the driver of the car that hit you. This is especially true in situations like those mentioned above, which amounts to what is known as “negligence.”
But there’s a number of other parties that could potentially share some liability, like:
- Other motorcyclists
- Pedestrians
- Parts manufacturers
- Government agencies
- Repair shops
Figuring out who is responsible for the accident is very important, because they are the ones legally responsible for covering your injuries and other damages. That said, your particular damages are going to depend on the circumstances of your accident.
Available Damages in a Claim
Liability is only the starting point of your injury claim. While it is indeed an important step, what you need to know is that you file your injury claim against this person or group of people. This is done through either an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, possibly both. Regardless of the option you choose, damages are the goal. In a typical left turn motorcycle accident, you can recover the financial support for the following:
- Medical bills from the accident and any future medical bills because of it.
- Income or wages you couldn’t earn because of the accident, both in the past and in the future.
- Pain and suffering from the accident.
- If you’re permanently changed physically or disabled because of the accident.
- If your life isn’t as enjoyable anymore because of your injuries.
- Funeral and burial costs if someone died because of the accident.
Remember, you have to file your injury claim within California’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident. Miss this deadline, and you won’t be able to recover these damages.
Experienced Legal Support After a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident
Being in a left turn motorcycle accident in Turlock is difficult enough on its own, but when you factor in your injuries and other needs, it can quickly become overwhelming. That’s when you can turn to our team at Maison Law for support. Our experienced Turlock motorcycle accident lawyers will be there to guide you through the recovery process. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
